But It Looks The Same...

Let’s say that you recently bought a new black suit, which was made in the USA.  I’m not sure what a high quality USA suit cost, but let’s say you spent $550.00 on it.  You get the suit dirty, so you take it to the dry cleaners to have it cleaned.  While at the cleaners, an accident occurs leaving your suit beyond repair.  You tell the cleaners that they are responsible for the suit and they say no problem, we’ll replace it for you.  They run down to the thrift shop to find a replacement suit or better yet, they go to the local discount store and buy a no brand black suit made in another country.  You stop by the cleaners and they give you your no name black suit.  You claim that this is not equal to the suit that you brought them, but they refuse to buy from the store that you bought it at.  They claim that the suit covers your body, that it is black, and looks much like the suit that was damaged.  Then they go on to explain that buying cheaper clothing to replace the clothing that they destroy allows them to keep costs down, which allows them to make a better profit.  

Would you stand for that?  Would you take your lesser quality suit, proudly knowing that you did your part to help make the business profitable?  Probably not, but why would you standup for a $500 suit, but allow insurance companies to do the same thing to your $30,000+ investment?  Not only are aftermarket parts lesser quality, they may not provide the safety that the original (OEM) factory parts do.  Like the suit, just because it looks similar does not make it equal quality.  

Aftermarket Parts-Do They Repair Your Vehicle back to it’s Pre-Accident Condition?

Many insurance companies have required body shops to use aftermarket parts on cars older than one year.  Insurance companies claim that less expensive parts help them keep your premiums down.  However, does this repair the car back to it’s pre-accidental condition?   

Let’s look at some of the differences in aftermarket and OEM parts:

Design

Modern cars are very complex and every part on the vehicle has a purpose and function.  The days of designing just for looks are long gone.  For instance, hoods, fenders, etc., all have crush zones.  They are designed to crush and collapse at a predictable manner.  This is designed to absorb the impact to keep the passengers safe.  For instance, if a hood was not designed properly, it may not fold and collapse properly, which could result in the hood crashing through the windshield decapitating the passengers inside.  Even if the crush zones are designed into the aftermarket part, how can it react the same in an accident if the part is made out of thinner gauge metal?  The thinner parts are going to collapse different from an OEM part.

Corrosion Protection

Rust has always made a vehicle look bad.  However, the way today’s vehicles are designed, require the strength of every part.  Rust not only looks bad, but it weakens the part, which could cause it to react different in an accident.  Aftermarket parts may not have equal corrosion protection applied to the parts, which could lead to an unsafe vehicle.

Equal Quality

You may hear aftermarket companies claim that their parts are equal quality.  However, I find that hard to believe.  Just because it looks the same, does not guarantee it is the same.  All the crash testing performed on vehicles are done using OEM factory parts.  If they’re not crash testing with aftermarket parts, then how can they claim that they are the same quality?

If you’re not willing to settle for a cheap suit to replace your original suit, than I suggest that we start working together to require insurance companies to stop demanding body shops to cut corners to save the insurance companies money.  If you buy a new car, the insurance is going to insure you accordingly.  However, if you wreck the car and less expensive parts are used to repair the car, do you think the insurance company will lower the premiums?  No, they’re going to charge for the pre-accidental condition value.  Therefore, it’s only fair to demand that the car be repaired to it’s pre-accidental condition.   

Let’s hear your thoughts...

How To Survive Tough Times in the Collision Repair Business

I read this article and found it interesting.  Robert was kind enough to allow me to share it with you.  Enjoy!

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by Robert P. Winfrey Jr. www.apcr.biz

I know that right now, we are all feeling the crunch: low claims counts, rising costs of everything involved in our business ventures, customers cashing in instead of repairing their cars.  The list goes on...

I am going to help with a few tricks I use to control costs at my facility.  I am not going to use any particular order but here are a few.

To help lower energy costs at the shop, I have lowered the thermostat in the shop to 60 degree's during the day and to 50 degree's at night. An electronic programmable thermostat runs about $140.00. When we are not working we also set it at 50 degree's. These units can be programmed for seven days and four to six different time zones for each day. Some will even start warming or cooling an hour before the start time to meet the setting a little at a time instead of all at once. We only heat from November to April and I have cut my heating bill in half. I switched to cold weather hardeners and reducer's for all products that I can for the winter months (all 60 degree range).

I purchased several infra red portable electric heaters for the rush jobs, seam sealers and other products that need the heat to cure to keep from slowing production in the shop.

There are many good clears and undercoats that air dry quickly at lower temperatures. You can cut your bake time to 10 to 25 minutes with the proper clear and lower you spray temperatures with winter low temp reducers and products. I never use slow reducers unless it's 100 degrees plus. This helps keep flash time between base coats and clear coats quick as possible. You can cheat the hardeners by 5 degrees if it is not too humid outside.

I have a mixing station provided by my paint supplier. I keep a set of aftermarket binders, primers, sealers and clear's for the older cars and vehicles out of warranty. This saves me about 30% on material costs without sacrificing color match and all my products still have a lifetime warranty.

I also have a paint invoicing program to bill for my materials. This has boosted my profits on paint and materials and now kept me from loosing money during this recession. Try the demo www.paintex.com.

This program is very simple to set up and the ability to cover every product you use in the shop from razor blades to clear coats. Bob Klem is a great mind and has used his years with Mitchell and KLM to build us a great program.

I use Web Est and set my own thresholds for clear coats, overlap, two tones, tri stages and I never write included on any item on an estimate. Everything takes time and should not be included in some other operations, regardless of what insurers tell you.

I successfully bill for all operations necessary to repair that vehicle. I charge to mask jambs, buff, dispose of damaged parts, test fit panels, block and prime, cover car twice, sand and buff, nuts bolts clips, weld thru primer and even to clean up and deliver. I mark up anything I write a check for including tow bills and alignments. I don't do my own glass work and I mark that up also. I make my money using my money.

I use the estimating systems as "Guides to replace parts on undamaged vehicles" as they were intended.

I pitted five vendors against each other and buy the products that work best for me at the lowest possible price and check pricing every 60 days or so. My money goes a little farther that way.

I pay my guys salary plus an incentive if they turn over there worked hours in labor. It gives them an incentive to go that extra mile for the customer and themselves.

I use the Oem web sites for a two or three day pass to get repair information and charge for the research time and log on marked up.

My margins are true accounting mark up not an add on percentage, quite a difference (almost 10%) on the same percentage.

I always shop for the best price on a salvage part and charge to repair damage and transfer components. I charge more to skin a door than a new door shell costs. We don't waist time skinning too many doors.

We charge for disassembly, towing with mark up, a damage analysis and storage on total losses. Sometimes I make more if they total.

Do I collect from every cut throat company 100%, 100% of the time? No but would you believe 98%, 100% of the time?

If you do not try or have given up, you are not understanding the system.Most companies I deal with have a job to do and that is control costs. My job is to make a profit.

Think out of the box, charge for items that we have been giving away for years.
Here is a short list:

Disposal of damaged parts $5.00
Clean for delivery $20.00
Mask jambs .6 per opening (in the p-pages)
Sand and buff to match factory texture 60% of refinish time
Razor blades
Rubber gloves
Paint mixing cups
Buffing compound
Polishing compound
Polishing pads
Self etching primer
Two part epoxies
Block and re prime 20% of body labor at refinish labor rate
Body filler
Polyester putty
Buffing pads
Sand paper
Mark up on ALL sublets including alignments and glass work
Admin time to schedule alignments, provide rental updates, etc.
Damage analysis $150.00 (not prepare estimate)
Disassemble to prepare damage analysis (not tear down)
Access time
Test fit panels
Remove adhesive from trim R
Check fluids
Oil. Trans fluid, PS Fluid, Brake fluid
Nuts, Bolts, Clips, Wire ties, Electrical tape, Solder, Butt connectors etc.
Remove wheel or wheels
Set up on Frame rack 2.0 hrs at Frame rate, Truck Tie downs 4.0 hrs at Frame rate
Road test
Check for wind noise
Check for water leak
Fax Fee $5.00
Copy parts documents $40.00
Steering is a tough issue to work around but signed repair contracts at the time of estimate are tough to steer away.

Questions, comments?

E-mail me I have done this for over thirty years, if I do not have an answer I may know someone that does!  apcrmt@aol.com

Robert P. Winfrey Jr. www.apcr.biz

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If you're interested in enrolling our collision repair program at Butler, feel free to contact me.

Contact Information:

Donnie Smith

Lead Collision Instructor

Butler Community College

316-323-6890

asmith73@butlercc.edu

Here is some additional information to help you with the enrolling process

Butler Collision Repair Web Page

(Limit to 15 Students)

To learn more about Butler Community College and the enrolling process, visit our advising page at http://www.butlercc.edu/advising/ 

Apply and enroll online by visitinghttp://www.butlercc.edu/admissions/enroll_now.cfm 

Podcasts

CrashTalk Radio Show 6/13/09 : Terence Bernard of Bernard...

CrashTalk Radio Show

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CrashTalk Radio Show 6/6/09 : Deborah Senn former Insuran...

CrashTalk Radio Show

Wichita Starts ASA Collision Chapter

Wichita has formed an ASA Wichita Collision Chapter.  This will allow the shops to team-up and work together to produce superior results in the collision industry.  I believe the business leaders that attended the meeting were concerned about improving their business and providing their customers with the best service possible.  

I thought it would be a good opportunity for me to get to know the local collision shops better, learn about current trends and the situations that shops are facing.  In exchange, this will help me better prepare students for the collision industry.  This will also allow me to screen the shops to determine which shops will be a good fit for our students at Butler. 

ASA Elects Officers

The first thing that we did was to elect officers for the chapter.  The elected officers are as follows:

Chapter President – Brad Shelton, Shelton Collision Repair, Derby, KS

Chapter Vice President – Dennis Allison, Auto Works Collision Center, Wichita, KS

Chapter Secretary – Melissa Edwards, Norris Collision, Goddard, KS

Chapter Treasurer – Vernon Hammond, Autobody Connection, Rose Hill, KS

Kansas Insurance Department

Jim Welch with the Kansas Insurance Department attended the meeting to address some of the concerns of the members.  Here are a few of the concerns addressed:

Blending within the panel - I thought this issue went away, but evidently shops are still fighting this one.  This is where insurance companies cut the paint time on the estimate.  They claim that if you are only painting part of the panel, (blending within the panel) then you should not get the full paint time.  The problem with that is, you still have to prep the entire panel, mask the entire panel and clear the entire panel.  It takes just as long if not longer to perform a blend within a panel.  Full paint time should be given.

Paint Capping - Insurance companies have been putting a paint cap (cutting the dollar amount off at an undetermined rate) on estimates.  I’m not clear how the insurance companies determine where to cap the materials.  The only thing that I’m aware of is the clear coat.  I know that Mitchell P-Pages used to state, not exceed 2.5 hours on clear coat.  I don’t know if that is still correct or not.  However, according to Kansas Insurance Department, paint capping violates insurance statutes dating back to 1974.  Therefore, insurance adjusters should not be allowed to cap material costs.  

Steering - Insurance companies continue to steer their customers to their DRP shops.  That is illegal!  I wrote a blog about this in the past.   For my thoughts on steering read this POST.

This was just a few of the topics discussed.  I encourage the collision business leaders to join the Wichita Chapter.  Together, we can make a difference, and change some of the issues mentioned.  

For more information about the ASA Wichita Collision Chapter contact:

Brad Shelton, Shelton Collision Repair

(316) 788-1528 /  brad@sheltoncollision.com

Butler’s Gratitude to Chicago Pneumatic Tools and Tomorrow’s Technician Magazine.

If you have been following our class blog, you know that Butler’s Collision Repair and Auto Tech programs were named among the top 20 schools in the nation by CP Tools and Tomorrow’s Technician Magazine. If we had made it to the final four, we would have received $25,000 in tools to be divided between the schools. The school named “The School of the Year” was recognized in person by CP Tools, Tomorrow’s Technician along with celebrity car builder, Rich Evans.

I felt being named as one of the top 17 schools in the nation was awesome. The recognition was enough to be excited about. Although, Chicago Pneumatic did something quite unexpected and unheard of, they not only awarded the 4 final schools, but they decided to award all 17 schools. Between the 17 schools, CP donated 119 cordless impact wrenched at an estimated value of$20,000. That is in addition to the $25,000 they divided between the four final schools. How is that for supporting the technicians of tomorrow? This is the type of kindness that helps automotive schools provide the industry with qualified technicians.

This crate was delivered today with cordless impact wrenches, banners, shirts and a Top 20 School of the Year Finalist certificate.

I recently wrote a blog post about Zappos. The purpose of this blog was to convey the way they treat their customers and employees. If you have not read about Zappos’s stellar customer service and their employee retention, then I recommend that you read this post. I believe that CP Tools demonstrates these outstanding qualities. I certainly feel more loyal to CP Tools, as I am compelled to give my business to those who give back and support education. I encourage you to remember this act of kindness the next time you may need to make a tool purchase. Buy from the company that gives back.

Again, I would like to thank CP Tools and TT Magazine for everything that they do for the collision repair industry. They have certainly done their part, to produce the champions of the collision repair and auto tech industries. Jay Lewis from CP Tools, says it like this, "We look forward to getting to know you and your students better, as we work hand-in-hand to help educate our profession's next generation."

Sincerely Grateful,
Butler Community College

Congratulations to the Class of 2009

Well, it's hard to believe that my graduating students have completed two years in the collision repair program at Butler. The time has flown by fast. I'm excited to see each of them turn the chapter in their book of life as they start their new career. I look forward to hearing success stories from them. I once heard that a good manager does not try to give his or her employees the expectations to be as successful or skilled as s/he is. Rather, the good manager gives their employees the encouragement to be better than they are. I believe the same holds true for teachers. I don't believe it's my job to show the students how talented or smart that I am, but rather help them explore how talented and smart they are. I really wish the best for them and their future. If they pass me up on the road of success or become more talented than I am in collision repair, then I'll feel that I did a job well done.

I would like to congratulate my 2009 Collision Repair Students of Butler Community College. Now it's time to begin your successful journey in life. Make me proud!

Here is a short video with a few photos of the past few years in the Collision Repair Program.

Wind Storm Leaves it's tracks in El Dorado, Kansas

It was not a tornado, but it was quite alarming to wake up without electricity in the middle of a thunderstorm.  When the high winds hit, we thought it may be a tornado.  However, the winds passed quickly and we knew that we all were safe, but did not know what happened.  We got our battery operated radio out to find out that it was just a wind storm.  Although it was just straight wind and rain, the town was left with quite a bit of damage.  Butler Community College and the El Dorado schools were canceled,  and highways closed due to power lines down.  We were busy Friday and most of the weekend cleaning up after the storm.  After driving around town, we felt that we may be luckier than many others.  Other than cleaning up trees, the only damage was to my 1966 Mustang.  Fortunately, repairing cars is what I do, so I'll just add it to the list when restoring the car.  Some of the other cars I saw are beyond repair.  Take a look at the video to see some of the damage.

Accidents, hail damage, wind damage, ice and snow storms, and other misfortunes, leave vehicles damaged, but that is what keeps the body shops in business.  If you would like to learn how you can help others in these situations by repairing vehicles back to their pre-accidental condition, you may consider enrolling in our collision repair program at Butler Community College.  

Butler Community College Auto Tech and Collision Repair are in the Top 17 for School of the Year.

Here is a quick update on the School of the Year.  We were recently named in the 20 auto/collision schools by Tomorrow's Technician and Chicago Pneumatics Tools.  They just named the School of the Year, which is Ohio Technical College.  

We did make it to the top 17 schools, which qualifies us to be awarded the secondary prize.  Chicago Pneumatic has donated 119 cordless impact wrenches, worth an estimated $20,000, to 17 schools across the United States.  Read more at the CP Website.

I would like to thank CP and TT for all they do for the schools.  I will post pictures of the tools when we receive them.  

BCRN April Newsletter Blog

This is a newsletter blog that is April in Review and a Preview of May

RUSH RUSH RUSH

The students are getting a taste of what it is like in a real shop environment the past few weeks.  As the days seem to start getting faster, the stress increases and the deadlines jump in front of us at an alarming rate.  The school year is about to an end.  However, the fast paced rush to meet deadlines will just be a normal day at a high production collision repair center. 

I would actually like to commend the students for pulling together as a winning team to complete all of the projects we have.  We are not out of the woods yet, but I believe that we should be on top of things by the end of next week.  I’m impressed with the amount of work the classes were able to complete.  If we were a real shop that charges labor, we’d be a very profitable shop right now.  However, we’re not here to run a production shop or make money.  We’re here to learn.  

First Year Students

The first year students have been doing whatever it takes to get all of the live work completed.  They recently learned about frame types, vehicle construction, and measuring.  They are currently learning about rigid plastics and sheet molded compound replacement and repair.  The students have to do more of the theory (bookwork) as homework with the increased stress to complete the projects for the year.  This will be their last class this school year.  When they return in August, we'll start out  learning more about weld-on panels and replacing door skins.  

Second Year Students

Second-year students have almost completed this program.  At this point I expect the students should be able to complete most tasks with very little supervision.  They should have the basic understanding and knowledge of collision repair.  However, they should not expect to know it all, as they will never know everything.  Cars are very complex and the technology is changing very fast.  Therefore, the students need to realize that their training and education is an ongoing process in this industry.  My advice to the student's completing the program is to enter the workforce confident in your abilities, but wise enough to know there is lot more to learn.  You’ve basically built a good strong foundation to build your successful career on.  How high you build the building (or level of success) is up to you.

It’s the exciting, but sad time of year

I’m excited to see my students start their new career.  I’m curious to see where this training leads them in life and I hope to hear many success stories of their accomplishments.  However, after working with the students for two years as a team, I am sad to see them leave.  Two years sounds like a long time, but goes by so fast.  I congratulate the graduating students and I wish them the best.  Not all of the students that started the program were able to complete the program.  It requires dedication, good grades, and hard work to make it.  Therefore, the students that made it can hold their head high and have confidence that they have what it takes to make it in the collision repair industry. 

Graduation will be held at the El Dorado Campus on May 16, 2009. 

Skills USA

The students competed in Skills USA.  This was a new experience for us, but we had a lot of fun.  Zan had the highest score on plastic repair and Brandyn had the second highest score in auto estimating.  To read more visit our previous post at Skills USA.

ASA Starting a New Collision Repair Chapter in Wichita, KS

ASA MOKAN is starting a new collision repair chapter, which met in Wichita; however, I was unable to make it to the meeting.  Therefore, I do not have a lot of information about the chapter at this time. The next meeting is set for May 19.  I plan to attend this meeting and will give you a better ASA/Wichita update on next months newsletter blog. 

A New Network for the Collision Repair Industry

I am active with a Facebook Collision Repair Group and several other networks.  I recently joined a new network, called Collision Hub, that you may be interested in.  I invite you to join me on this group at http://collisionhub.ning.com/profile/DonnieSmith  I look forward to seeing you there.

You'd Want One Too - Jenni's "Vette" story

Looking Forward

Summer Break is here, but don't get caught like the three little pigs

We've all heard the story "The Three Little Pigs" and you know that the first two pigs were not prepared for the wolf.  Well, getting your career kicked off is kinda the same way.  For instance, the first little pig made his house out of straw.  When the wolf came, he huffed and puffed and blew the house down.  You may have an idea of what you want to do with your career.  However, if you do not take the necessary steps to make it happen, you'll watch your opportunity blow by.  If your interested in the collision repair program, I suggest that you get enrolled today.  We have limited space and it's filling fast.  I understand that summer is here, which means fun, relaxing, and a needed break; however, if you wait to enroll, you may be left out wondering what to do for the next year.  I encourage you to enroll now, like the third pig that made his house out of brick.  You to will be prepared and ready for the opportunities that blow your way.   

For more information about enrollment and to determine if collision repair is right for you, visit enrollment post.

Finding Your Passion 

Still not sure if collision repair is a fit for you.  Check out our post about finding your passion and learn how others became passionate about their careers.

Career Tips from the man...Chip Foose

BCRN in other places

Join us on FaceBook. We have a group "Collision Repair Network" for technicians to network. Join this group

You can watch all of our videos on our YouTube BCRN channel 

Collision Hub Network

Contact Information

For more information about the Collision Repair program contact:
Donnie Smith
Lead Collision Instructor
(316)323-6890
asmith73@butlercc.edu

For more information about the Auto Tech program contact:
Jeremy Carlson
Auto Tech Instructor
(316)322-3287
jcarlson5@butlercc.edu
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Collision Repair Tip
Final inspection and detailing is a curtail part of any repair.  For example, it would not matter how well a surgeon performed a surgery, if the assistant did a sloppy job of stitching you up.  The well performed surgery would be covered up by a sloppy appearance.  A perfectly repaired car could leave the customer feeling the repairs are unsatisfactory, if the car is not detailed properly.

A final inspection to make sure everything is correct and cleaning the car correctly will improve customer satisfaction. 

Fact
I-CAR started in 1979, which makes their 30th anniversary.  1979-2009

Quote

The secret of life is not to do what you like but to like what you do.

~Author Unknown

Question
As students now turn into employees in the collision industry, what are the most import things to remember in a job interview?  What are employers looking for when hiring a new technician? 

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